De Meulenaere Family Receives Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

02-28-2018 in Awards

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – February 27, 2018 – The De Meulenaere family received the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award on February 22^nd, at the American Legion Hall at 601 3^rd St., Victor, Iowa. Over 100 friends, family members and industry representatives were in attendance. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the award sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and WHO and WHT radio stations.

Neighbor Larry Beyer nominated the De Meulenaere family for the award. In his application, Beyer highlighted the family’s involvement in the community and their resilience when faced with adversity. The farm has experienced two fires that required the family to rebuild the main barn each time. “Without our son and grandson’s involvement on the farm, we would not have rebuilt a second time.” said Wayne De Meulenaere. “Thanks to the promise of future generations carrying on the farm legacy, we decided to move forward and rebuild.”

The three-generation dairy, stock cow and cash grain farm was established by Wayne and

Char De Meulenaere in the 1960’s. Son Kraig and grandson Keegan help operate the farm that milks 90 Holstein cows and feeds 20-30 bottle calves. De Meulenaere Farms also raise a rotation of approximately 500 acres of corn, 500 acres of soybeans, 100 acres of high quality hay and 30 acres of oats.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, presented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Ag Radio Network in partnership with CSIF, is awarded to Iowa farm families who raise livestock, and are good neighbors and stewards of the land. The award is given in honor of distinguished late WHO radio farm broadcaster, Gary Wergin.

To nominate a deserving livestock farmer or farm family, visit www.supportfarmers.com/goodfarmneighbor or contact Gabby Glenister at 515-225-5526 or gglenister@supportfarmers.com.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created more than 10 years ago by farmers to help farmers raise livestock responsibly and successfully. It’s a partnership involving the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

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